Apparatus for making hair retainers



Nov. 2l, 1950 L. T. sAwYER 2,531,299

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Nov. 21, 1950 L. T. s AwYER APPARATUS FOR MAKING HAIR RTAINERS Filed ned; 6. 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 N ov. 21, 195o l.. T. SAWYER v 2,531,299

APPARATS FOR MAKING HAIR If l I Filed Dec. 6,- 1948 8 sheetsfs'heet e Madnanr L. T. sAwYER APPARATUS FOR MAKING HAIR RETAINERS Nov. 21, 1950 l 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 6, 1948 if; M414 Nov. 21, 1950 1.. T. sAwYER APPARATUS FOR MAKING HAIR RETAINERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 6, 1948 PAE NMS

Patented Nov. Z1, 1950 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR MAKING HAIR RETAINERS Lester T. Sawyer, Leominster, Mass.

Application December 6, 1948, Serial No. 63,798

28 Claims. l

This invention relates to comb-making machines and more especially to a machine for converting an annular blank of plasticizable material, such as is shown in my Patent No. 2,450,448 granted October 5, 1948, into a plurality of combs, each of which is substantially concave-convex `in contour.

As illustrated in the aforesaid application, there is described a method of making combs and hairpins, termed hereinafter hair retainers, of cellulose acetate or similar thermoplastc materials by injection molding. According to the .method described therein, a plurality of such hair .retainers is produced in the form of a substantially flat annular blank wherein the backs collectively denne the inner periphery of the annular blank and the teeth extend divergently out- .ward from the backs in out-of-contact relation with each other, their outer ends being circumferentially spaced and collectively defining the outer periphery of the annular blank. The annular blank thus formed consists of a plurality of interconnected hair retainers, the individual teeth being of approximately the desired shape but in out-of-contact relation with each other. This annular blank is then temporarily plasticized, either by being subjected to a mild degree 'of heat"or to an environment containing a suitable softener or solvent or both, and while the annular blank is in relatively plastic condition it is then applied about a generally cylindrical .forming block or die so as to convert it from a substantially at annular member to a generally `cylindrical crown-like member, such conversion being eifective to close the outof-contact teeth to the desired proximity. Where some of the in- 5 dividual teeth are bent or otherwise shaped to provide offset portions, the closing-in operation is effective to bring such offset portions into contigucus or gripping relation with the sides of the provide a semiautomatic machine wherein annular blanks'of the foregoing kind may be placed,

fplasticized, molded to'crown-like shape, cut into tsections and discharged Ain the form of substantially concavo-convex hair retainers rapidly, eniyciently and with a minimum of skill required on the part Aof the operator.

Accordingly, relativey movable male and fem'ale dies are arranged to receive letwee'n them anfannularplasticized blank of the foregoing kind, the blank beingr brought to a plast'c state in an. oven from which it is automatically ejected at the end of a predetermined time upon an inclined tray arranged to receive and gravitationally convey it to the dies. The oven has a discharge opening therein normally covered by a closure which is automatically opened by titing movement of a discharge plate within the oven upon which the blank rests, tilting movement of the plate being effected at the end of said predetermined time by timing mechanism provided for this purpose. The lower end of the tray is normally situated between the dies, and near its lower end there is a switch operable by passage of a blank thereover and/or thereunder to effect retraction of the tray sufliciently to withdraw its lower end from between the dies prior to relative movement of the dies into engagement. To preclude the possibility of the dies closing on the lower end of the tray before it is withdrawn, the means for effecting relative movement of the dies is initiated by retraction of the tray. Engagement of the dies converts the blank into a generally cylindrical crown-like member having a circular back from which project the teeth.l A series-of cutters are spaced around the female die and are arranged to be actuated following movement of the dies into engagement to sever the circular back of the crown into sections. Simultaneously air is injected into the female die in the vicinity of the circular back to reduce the temperature of the back suiciently to set the plastic. Following cutting and cooling of the `shaped blank, the dies separate and a pair of diametrically arranged pins, situated in the wall of the female die, is forced inwardly to disrupt the severedvcrown by forcibly separating two of the sections from the remaining sections so that .they tend to collapse inwardly toward the center of the die. To promote collapse, additional air blasts are injected into the die cavity near the upper part thereof to strike the outer surfaces of the severed sections near their tops and hence to topple them inwardly, whereupon they fall by gravity through a central opening in the bottom of the female die provided for. this purpose. To assure cutting the back' atplaces between teeth rather than through a tooth, gauge means is placed in the die cavity to receive and orient the blank to correlate the intertooth spaces with the cutters.

The foregoing operations are arranged to take place in a predetermined order by means of a series of electrical and pneumatic switches and valves having appropriate interlocks to prevent premature operation of any of the voperating parts which might cause damage if they took place cui @i order.

The invention' will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation of the machine as seen from the left side;

Fig. 1a is a plan view of a premolded annular blank;

Fig. 1b is an isometric View of a blank such as is shown in Fig. la after shaping in the form of a generally cylindrical crown-like member having a circular back and projecting teeth;

Fig. lc is an isometric view of a single comb section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical elevation somewhat enlarged, as seen from the right side, with the support omitted, a portion of the oven omitted and the male die omitted;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the transfer tray as seen from the bottom side;

Fig. 4 is a plan view looking down on top of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a vertical end elevation, as seen from the rear end of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the oven, as seen from the left-hand side, enlarged to illustrate the details thereof;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 'l--l of Fig. 6 showing the blank support;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary lvertical section, on the line 8 8 of Fig. '7, showing the discharge plate;

Fig. 9 is a plan View of the female die;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section, on the line l-IO of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section of Vthe male and female dies separated just prior to molding with a blank resting on the female die;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the male and female dies closedon a blank and with the cutter movedinto cutting position; and j Fig.. 13 is a schematic view of the pneumatic and electrical systems.

Referring to Fig. 1, the machine is shown as comprised essentially of a plasticizing unit I8, molding dies l2 for shaping the plasticized blank and transfer means I4 for transferring the plasticized blank from the plasticizing unit to the molding dies. The aforesaid parts are assembled together in operative relation, together with snitable electrical, pneumatic and mechanical mechanisms, for effecting Aconversion of the blank into hair retainers, upon a support in the form of a table I6 having aflat'top I8.

The plasticizing unit lll is in the form of an oven 2E situated above the table top I8 on top of a post 22 fastenedto the table top and rising vertically therefrom. Theoven, as seen by reference to Figs. 6 to 8, is a substantially rectangular chamber 22 bounded by four walls and surmounted by a truncated top 24 within which there is situated a heating element 2E in the form of a lamp which gives out predominantly infrared rays for plasticizing a blank placed in the oven.. The voven .has a substantially horizontally imper forate bottom 28, to the under side of which there are secured heating coils 28' which are supplied with current from a suitable source by way of controls 2S. The upper surface of the bottom has rising therefrom a pair of spaced, semi-circular islands theoutside diameter of the combined islands being slightly less than the inside diameter of the blankvb (Fig. la) which is to be plasticized so that when the-blank is dropped into the oven it will automatically center itself within the oven. The upper peripheral edges of the semicircular islands are beveled so that the blank WillV nel? bi? caught on an edge and held tilted. There is also in the oven a discharge plate 32 which has in it a pair of semicircular openings 34 arranged to t over the semicircular islands 30 so that it rests flat on the bottom and forms a support for the blank. The discharge plate is tilted to effect discharge of a plasticized blank, and has flanges 35 along its opposite sides to prevent the blank from sliding off at one side or the other, while at least one end is left open to permit the blank to slide off at that end when the plate is raised, as will subsequently appear. The forward wall 38 of the oven has near the lower part thereof a transverse discharge opening 4!) which is normally covered `by a closure 42 attached by hinges 44 to swing outwardly from its upper edge when a blank is to be discharged. The lower edge of the closure 42 terminates just short of the bottom 28, leaving a narrow opening along the bottom of the oven below the lower edge of the closure. A right-angle rstrip 46 is fastened to the under side of the plate 32 near the narrow opening so that its vertical flange projects out through the narrow openinga'nd downwardly substantially in the plane of the closure. A narrow plate 48 is fastened to the bottom 28 to project downwardly therefrom behind the vertical flange of the strip 46 and to the rear side of this plate there is fastened the upper leaf of a hinge 50. The lower leaf of the hinge 50 is fastened by Way of a filler strip to the vertical flange of the angle 46. NearA one end of the lower leaf ofthe lhinge (Fig. 8) there is fastened a short plate 49 which projects laterally therefrom and is fastened at its outer end to the lower end of an arm 54, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to a piston rod 56 which forms part of a piston and cylinder assembly 58. The piston ,and cylinder assembly maybe supplied from a storage tank 2D!) (Fig. 13) with a motivating fluid such. as compressed .air through a suitable duct '59 in which there is interposed a control valve V5 to cause the piston rod' to move in one direction therein, and as it is moved, the angle bar 4S is tipped on the hinge 52 which, in turn, tips the plate 32V attached thereto to the position shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 6. As the plate 32 tips upwardly and forwardly, the blank resting thereon is lifted off the islands and the forward end '60 of the plate pushes the closure 42 outwardly on its hinge 44, thereby allowing the plasticized blank to slide outwardly through the discharge opening 40. A bleeder orifice is provided in the cylinder to permit escape of the motivating fluid and hence to allow the plate 32 to return to its horizontal position by gravity when valve V5 is closed, the orifice being adjustable to regulate the return movement of the plate and cushion its fall.

The blank b (Fig. 1a) is introduced to the oven through a charging opening in the opposite, that is the rear, wall which is normally covered by a charging door in the form of a vertically sliding plate 82 arranged. to slide in vertical ways 64 formed in the opposite walls of the chamber. Upward movement of the slldable plate 62 1s effected by a rod 66 which is connected to a piston and cylinder assembly 66 (Fig. 1), the latter being supported by a bracket 68 fixed to the top of the oven. The slidable plate 62 is raised by the piston and cylinder assembly 66 and isallowed to fall by gravity. Rising movement is effected by energization of a solenoid Ll controlling a valve Vl interposed in a duct 66a leading tothe lower end of the cylinder;

\ and falling movement is accorded by deenergizanects the 'switch s2m with terminal c.

tion of the solenoid so that the operating fluid escapes through an adjustable bleeder orice incorporated in the valve.

The valve VI is opened to raise the charging door 62 by the energization of the operating'solenoid LI (Fig. 13) from the terminals a and c of a conventional power source (not shown) by means of a circuit including the conductor wl, a normally closed switch sl, and either one'of Vthe parallel connected normally open switches s2 or 82m. If the circuit is completed by the switch s2 whose operation will be described hereinafter, the electrical path to terminal. c includes the conductors w22, wl8 and w9. A lead wZ con- Alsooonnected in parallel with the switches Vs2 and 52m is the normally o'pen contact s3 of a holding relay whose solenoid L2 is connected in parallel with the valve operating solenoid Ll.

As the slidable plate 62 reaches its closed position it depresses and actuates a switch s-'l situated near the bottom of the oven which sets timing means, such as the timer TI (Fig. 13) into operation to limit the length of time that the blank will be exposed to the heating element within the oven, and to this end at the end of a predetermined time brings about actuation of the piston and cylinder assembly 58 to tilt the plate 32 and open the closure 42 and hence to discharge the plasticized blank. The proper timing to assure the right degree of plasticity following charging will be determined to some extent by the kind and thickness of the material of the blank. 'They charging door 62 is initially opened manually by the closing of the switch s2m near the front of the machin-@thereby to complete the above described circuit for energizing the valve operating solenoid LI. The relay solenoid L2 is concomitantly energized to close the contacts s3, thus completing a holdingA circuit which maintains the solenoid LI energized after the switch sZm is released to return to its normally open position. After the blank has been dropped into place, the charging door 52 is closed by the manually operable trip switch Vsil which however, opening of the charging door 62 will be effected automatically independently of the manual opening switch by the tripping of the switch s2 by the return of a carriage l58 which forms part of the transfer means as will appear hereinafter. y l

As mentioned above, the closing of the charging door 62 closes the switch s4 to connect the timer TI to the power source terminals a and c by a circuit including the conductor w2, the switch s4 and and a conductor w3. The timer TI may be any of the well-known conventional types wherein the contacts s6 and sill are transferred by the energization of a solenoid L3 upon the lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds) after the initial energization of the timer by the above described circuit. This is schematically illustrated in Fig. 13 by a time delayed closing switch S5 which may consist either of mechanical contacts operated by a clock mechanism or of a vacuum tube having an associated timing circuit whereby the potentials impressed upon the tube electrodesv are changed after a time delay so that the tube conducts. In either case, the completion of a circuit .through .$5 energizes the solenoid L3 to transfer 6 the contacts s6 and slU after the'lapse of the predetermined time interval. l Prior to the opening of the normally close contact s6 by the operation of the timer Tl, a circuit is completed including the contact s6, the leads wd and w, a relay solenoid L4, a normally closed switch s1 and a lead w1, thereby to energize the solenoid LG from the power source terminals a and c closing a normally open contact s. Upon the transfer of the contact s6, the solenoid L4 remains energized as its contact s3 completes a holding circuit including the leads w8 andw9 `which parallels the contacts sii. The concomitant closing of the normally open contact slll energizes a solenoid L5 from the power source terminals a and c through a circuit comprising the contact sli), a conductor wl l, the solenoid L5, a conductor w12, a normally open carriage interlock S9, a conductor w13, the lead wB, the contact 38, and the leads w8 and wl. The interlock S9 is mounted on the table top I8 so that a roller at the end of its operating arm is in contact with a web |85 when the carriage |58 is in its advanced position.

The energization of the solenoid L5 opens the valve V5 so that the piston and cylinder assembly 58 tilts the plate 32 to discharge the blank b, as described in detail heretofore. Near the end of the movement of the piston and cylinder assembly 58 the cylinder trips the normally closed switch sl which is mounted thereunder, thereby to deenergize the relay solenoid L4. The contact sil opens to deenergize the solenoid L5 so that the valve V5 closes, thereby permitting the plate 32 to return to its normal position after the discharge of the blank b, as described in detail heretofore. The molding dies for shaping 'the at blank b to convert it into a generally cylindrical crownlike member, as shown in Fig. lb, are comprised of relativelymovable male and female dies 14 and 16 arranged one above the other (Fig. 11) and movable into and out of molding engagement (Fig. 12). The female die, as more specically shown in Fig. l0, is in the form of an annulus l5 which is yieldably supported on its under side by stii coiled springs S5 interposed between it and the top of a rigid bed plate 8l resting on the table top,` the springs being retained in place by bolts 82 extending through the plate 8l from its under side and being threaded into the annulus. The annulus has a die cavity 84 of slightly greater diameter than the outside diameter of the annular blank Within which there is concentrically ar- 'ranged an annular work support 85, the upper work-supporting edge of which is slightly greater in diameter than the inside diameter of the annular blank and which has a conical outer wall and a substantially vertical inner Wall. Inwardly of the annular work support at the bottom of the vertical Wall there is a discharge opening 88. Bordering the discharge opening at the bottom of the vertical wall there is a horizontal shoulder or ledge 9U upon which the back b of the blank is forced when converted into its generally cylindrical shape by the male die, as will'be described hereinafter. A second and. narrower shoulder lies below and inwardly of the shoulder 90. Spaced about the female die cavity at regular intervals are radial slots 92 which extend through the annular work support tothe inside thereof. In these slots are removably latched blocks S3 which have pivotally supported therein cutters 94 each having inwardly directed cutting edges 96 adapted to be projected into that portion of the die cavity within the 'annular Work support in the at the point of entranceo thefbloclo `to-reeen/e aafhardenedrtongne. integraler/ith the inner end of ethe;` blank; and which:v hase a :top Vsurface iingthe :viplane .oithe ledge.- lthereby to zforincanf anvil.; 9,3

:forgthecutter Ato ,act-.upon The` outer ortailend ofeach cu-ttenproiects.downwardlyibelow thetanrnulus and-.has Ycontact-.with 'the upper-inclined. .end ,sofiaftspringepressedplunger IiZy set; into the bed eplatezvi. .f As kthusaarranged,fdownward l:moveet'mentof tha` female die-,when* forced: from above byzfthe ;male '.diezaftert theydies arer engaged will .fpress thefemaledieatowardf the table .stop in opposition :to the springs 8I1;;and.this in turn will Ytilt athercuttersfSll, so aszto projectltheir cuttingzedges eiintdgthef die cavity land sever the back .ozthe E:pinyinfresting on theledge at aseries `ofvpoints .fssoaesito:ormaplurality of: comb sections. .The fzmltters are; normally held finta-retracted position '.bylcoiled springs I lIl situated inthe slotsbehind ifthem. rjAs^related,i`the.iannularwwork supporti-8G -;isrofrislightly larger:diameterthan :the diameter Y:lof-theecircular back-ofthe blank (Fig. 1'1)-.so,.that

when the blank rests ongthe support .the backiportionb'= :lies ,inside of. :the support-,the Iroot portions "rofrthe Jteeth overliegthe upperedgeof the sup- ;portfand-.thezmain portions of the-teeth project irbcyond theV supporttoward -the .extreme -inner wall .pf the..cav.ity. To ,orientthe 'blankso'ithat the cutters- .;will-:fcuti-between teeth and .not 4through ",fteeth.: position-ing. means .I 66 .is-:provided about .therinside wall of thefdie' cavityf84 to receive the vteethzand turntheblank in one direction or the other as it lands. on `theidie.to-bring it to the :propers'position',for cutting. '-As illustrated the -posi-tioning.means isin the form of aseries of up- `;f-'rigl'1t,.spaced4 gauge teeth IUS between-which'the fieeth t of theiblank are ,caught when' the blank f falls -on 'the-support the peakedgauge .teeth I 06 shiftingjthe blank inone direction or the other so "that its `teeth awill settle into- :the spaces' between 1 -;the,gauge. teeth tif irthey 'perchanceilandz on' `the -apexportionsxthereoi The gauge. teeth IBS' are sov arranged with respect to thezcuttersathat'each cutter lies halfway betweenthe spaces betweena paient-gauge teeth; `,that is,l directly opposite the apex of a tooth. -After the moldingperartion has been completed and substantially simultaneously with the-cutting operation, cooling air is injected vunder pressure into A-the female die in the vicinityV of `the'backb' of the crown to lower the temperature sufciently-to set the plastic, and .to thiszend af channel AI tl'lis formed peripherallyof the inner wa-l1- of the i worksupport at--the intersection-of 1 its -verticalwallfwith the ledgefSU '.near-'theibottom vof fthe femaledie in-to Ywhich open .aplurality of substantially equally spaced passages |08. The '=.lower `ends ofthe passages I08are connected to a common circular manifold I99formed in the an- -nuluswhichis suppliedvwithair by way of: a suit-l f-.able'valveVlIl` attheproper time,as Ywill-be described` hereinafter. Following; the cutting and cooling operation; the male-"die Visy retracted (Fig. li) and to ejecti the severedcomb sections `two Ar-pins II!) are arrangedin radial passages I I2'sub-f stantiallyl dia-metrically opposed to `each -o-ther :within the die .wa1lj,ust above the ledge 90. Springs I I I normally hold the pins retracted with their inner ends within the-channel I'land with their-outer f ends projectingl from the periphery.VA lof thedie. A-pair ofv arms IIS (Fig: 4) Yare arranged to engage the outer' :endsI of thepins and to I,bet.,actuated by restoration of )the Ytray to Aits initial forward position, -as -willappear herein- @teiten-fito `forcerthepinsinwardlyfollowing retrac:

r movement,- of. the sections; and total collapse ofrlthe crown; a .pluralityof substantially .equallyspaced orificesf I I8 .-are. .formed in :the :uppeitv partfofv .the

rf'LSnand LII.

wallof the female, die just abovenfthe. upper-.ledge of*I thel l. annular work fsupportflnthroughwwhich 1' jets.- of air '.may'fbe; forced: tozimpinge` .upon the vloutside surfaceszofistheoomb sections so..as1.-to.1tip athemninwardlyxand .to Vcause-,them toafallzby -gravityinto and through the openingr88. "The oricesare connected to a. com-mon-circularmanimfoldli formed in Athe..wall .which in .tumis con- :tnected to asui-table-supply vof compressedaairby fwayfof anappropriate valveVIS (fFig; 13).

The male Vdiefwhiclfr isibrought into-engagement with the blankbrsupported on :the work support f iwithin the femalediais comprised of twoparts ;;'l2 Jand l 22,;as shown in Figs: 5 and 11'; which vare ;mounted` for vertical-.movement to. and from the female; dicton-aA crossheadi12d-.whichfisarranged td-slide vertically-.one pair-.lof spaced, posts=':I26 VKrising:from the bedplate ,rresting'on .thetop @of theitable. To effect vertical movement ofI the crosshead VI 2 4,v the latter 4 is .connected .by a flink ,I 2 3 L`to, a :piston rods I .36 Iwhich :forms: partv of na piston and cylinderassembly 413.2, thelatter being secured -to 4a tie bar 121m connecting the ,upper ends of theposts IEE. VAir under-,pressure 'is-de- ,livereclto 'the cylinder through ajductil132a hav- --ingfa' Vvcontrol valveafVlpperatedlby the solenoids The cylinder and ipiston; assembly fI 32 isdouble acting, 4`,the momentary, energization cf, the solenoid 4L'-rnoying thefcontrolfyalved'l so that vthe crosshead' :I Zllgis positivelylowered; vvtheenergizationof solenoid LI I ,moyingfthe `.valve .positively to-fraise -theerosshead' 124. fThe;.-part g E2G is .in the form-,crapShortgpistonelike plunger `having a-yertically convex, peripheral-surface vI2I yandasubjacent short cylindrical surface I2iI'l of .smaller diameter-' so ,that a low s l'iouldery extends A `around the under side of. fthe, plungergwhich will t closely within .theinner wall betweenthefledges raandfl. AThe plungeris V'slidablylsupported for -a limited vamount of vertical movementrelative 4tothe crossheadfand :to this endgis monntedon larod 131i whichg-passes through i'lldecenterv thereof Iandis retained ythereonby a .nut I35 Qnthe lower endgof .the rod. .Ther-,od |34 is fixed to the; crossahead at 'its upper.v end :andextends/substantially verticallydownward therefrom. *'I'heplungerttl is yieldably held at the lower extremitygoftm rod viivand spaced ,from thepart I22i-byqaxpair of ,springs 138 lsurrounding rods, llixed'at1 their AIAupperends-to the vpart I2 and extending downwardly therefrom through -holes,;I23 in the part I2C). ,The part I2'3fisfa conformingmemberfis fastened directlyto the crosshead, and has :in its lower rsurface a rcircular vrecess M0, thednner ivperipheral walL I4I iofswhich.-is-conical, vhaving a. widemouth arranged to telescope oyenthe conical outer surfaceof the support SSI-in the female ,die As illustrated the'diarneter ofthe upper or smaller end-of the conical wall; is jof somewhat smaller diameter-thantheupper edge of the .work supportsoasto bend -thefteeth inwardly and henceimparta concavo-convex Shapetothecomb y sections. It is to be understood that, the .-in- -clination of the slope mayibe variedin-onedirectionor Athe otherl dependingupon the degree; of convexity' desired inzithe comb sections. fTo .afferia.v convenient vchangeover Y-i. n.f this' :respectfthe ethical surface |4| is formed in a ring I4 I which may removably be forced into the part |22. 4When the male die is brought into engagement 'with the female die (Fig. 12) the part |20 rst engages the inner annulus of the blank b, the latter being caught and centered by the entrance of the shallow shouldered portion |2|' thereof with theinner annulus and forces it downwardly inside of the annular support 86. The diameter of the plunger |20 is such that there is a clearance between it and the inner peripheral wall of the support 86 substantially equal to the thickness of the blank. Hence, when the plunger |20 moves downwardly, the back b and teeth t are tipped downwardly into the inner annulus from a horizontal plane into a subvertical plane while the outer ends of the teeth tip upwardly to form a cylindrical member which lies between the convex surface of the plunger and the inner peripheral wall of the support 86 (Fig. 12). Engagement of the cylindrical portion |2| with the shoulder9| insures accurate centering of the male and female dies.` When the plunger |20 comes into engagement with the ledge 90 it stops, the conforming member |22 moves down over the outside of the support 86, and the inclined peripheral inner surface |4| thereof bends the upstanding teeth inwardly against the convex peripheral surface of the plunger |2| so that the cylindrical member will have a substantially concavo-convex shape.

To effect transfer of a substantially plasticized blank from the oven to the dies for shaping, there is provided the transfer means |4 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) which is in the form of a movable inclined tray |42 having vertical bordering flanges |44 at its opposite edges. The bottom |46 of the tray has in it a plurality of embedded heating elements |48 so that as the plasticized blank is discharged from the oven thereinto it will be maintained at a substantially constant temperature or at least will not cool off materially before it is deposited onto the female die. Suitable controls |46 are attached to the under side of the tray, as illustrated in Fig. 2, near the top thereof for adjusting the current delivery to the heating elements and hence the temperature of the tray. The tray -is arranged so that its upper end |50 is close to the-discharge opening of the 'oven| and its lower end |62 is close to the dies. The tray is attached to a platform |42" whichv is supported in the aforesaid inclined position on spaced rear legs |64 and forward legs |56 rising 'from a carriage |58, the latter being movable in a horizontal piane forwardly and rearwardly on two pairs of wheels |60 and |62 rotatably supported by the respective side pieces |580', and |5822. The pairs of wheels |60 at one side of the carriage have flat rims (Fig. which rest on a track constituted by the upper limb |64 of a channel |66 set on one edge and extending longitudinally of the table top. The pairs of wheels |62 at the other side have transversely concave rims which rest on a track constituted by a rod 68, the latter being welded to one limb |'|2 of a channel |14 set on the edge and extending lengthwise of the table. By provision of the concave rimmed wheels |62 lateral displacement of the carriage is prevented. The side pieces |58a and |581) are maintained in spaced relationship by two cross members, one member |86a being located at the front of theV carriage |58, the seco-nd member |86b being located approximately at the midpoints of the respective side pieces. To hold the. Carriage down so that its Wheels will not become disengaged from the track, plates |6| are attached to the outer sides of the side pieces |58a and |'58b and to these plates are pivotally fastened bell levers |6|. One arm of each bell lever carries a roller mounted on an inwardly directed stud so that it is situated between the limbs of the channel |66. A tension spring |63 connected to the other arm of the 1nell lever and to the plate yieldably urges the bell lever in a direction to hold the roller engaged with the under side of the upper limb.

To permit adjustment of the inclination of the tray, the forward end of the platform is pivotally attached to the upper ends of the forward pair of legs |56 (Fig. 2). The rear end of the platform has fastened to its under side a pair of arms |18, the lower ends of which are fastened by means of bolts to the pair of rear legs |54, the bolts being adjustable in vertical slots |04 formed near the upper end of tl'ielegs. To the front side of the cross member |661; there is fastened by means of the struts |8511 a transversely extending web |85, and to this web there is connected a piston rod |38 which forms a part of a piston and cylinder assembly for moving the carriage forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the dies and hence enabling retraction of the forward end of the tray from between the dies. The piston and cylinder assembly |90 is supported on the surface of the table by means of brackets |92 and |94, and is supplied with air under pressure by way of a duct |90a in which there is interposed a valve V6 operated by the solenoids L8 and L|0, the former being actuated at the proper time to withdraw the tray from between the dies. To this end a cantilever lever |96, operating a normally open switch s| located beneath the inclined tray |42, is placed in an aperture |66a formed in the tray surface close to the lower end thereof and projecting upwardly through the aperture. When a blank slides down the tray it depresses a lever |98 to actuate the switch s| The momentary closing of the switch s| energizes, from the terminals a and c, a solenoid L1 of a holding relay by means of the leads w|4,

wl6, w||, w|8 and 1119', thereby transferring the normally open contacts s|3 and s|6. The closing of contact s|3 completes@J` holding circuit including the conductor wifi, the solenoid L1, the conductor wil, the contact s|3, a conductor wig, a normally closed switch s|4 and the conductors w2i, w22, w|8 and w9 so that the relay solenoid L' remains energized until the circuit is deenergized by the opening of the switch s|4 as the carriage |58 returns to its advanced position, as will be described in detail below. The closing of contact s|3 alsoenergizes a timer T2 which is connected in parallel with the relay solenoid L7 by the leads w|4 and wl'. The timer T2 is similar in construction and operation to the timer T| which has been described in detail heretofore; a switch s|2 thereof closing a predetermined time after the energization of the timer T2' by the contact sis, as described above, energizing a solenoid L6, thereby to transfer a contact SI5 from a normally closed to a normally open position.

`The energization of solenoid L1 by the tray switch s| l, as described heretofore, concomitantly closes the contact si; thereby energizing the carriage retract solenoid L8 from the power source terminals a and c by means of a circuit including the conductor w|4 linked to terminal a, the contact s 6, the normally closed position of the timer aser-,etc

contact s1 tir-the leads une aiidwzll; v normally? Closed? SWllChiSl, la ldvwZSfad the Sole'rlOd` L8; the' return'electrical path to' terminal cf beingground. The solenoid LSoperates the control valveVGj the momentary energizing 'of the sole'- noid moving the' valve into the'position'to admit aiil` to the pistonand'cylinder assembly to retract*A ''he` continued movement' of the carriage V |58' fronitsadvanced'position causes a'do'g |95 totripthe switch' s2f'which is located onthe table top" l'infthefpath of the dog; thereby to completethe heretofore-described circuit energizing the solenoidil sothat the' cylinderZ 56 automaticallyf opensthe charging ydoor 62'in` preparatio'n for the'nextblank b1 The dog |95 is pivotally'suspendedfin' ach'annel piece |96 whichis fastened tofthefrontof' the cross member l86a wherebyl the retrctingfmovement-of the carriage |58 forces thedog lee-'against the channel |96 asico'ntact is made with the actuating'member of switch Sig't'hus'clo'sing the switch; whereas the contact of the dog'y lfwith the actuating member by the advancingfmovernent'ofthe carriage causes the :dog to'p'ivot so that the switch is not closed.

The-'retraction of the carriage |53' also closes anormally open switch-SH3 which is mounted on the* table-top I8- with the roller of its actuating arm-inthepath ofk a block llllY fastened-to the` side piede |5313-,-- The closing of switch' s-'lv energlzes'tliesolenoidiLQff from the power source terminals a and c through an electrica1=circuitf c* being through ground. As mentioned liereto' fdref'tlie4 energization of the solenoid Lopens the control valve Vfl` to admit airto the piston andcylinder assembly |32 throughthe ducty |32cLv so that .the male die' closes-upon the blank h whichhasbeen'depositedinthe femaledie by the tray |46 'before the'retraction of the carriage |58;

The downwardmovementwof the crosshead |24` releases the actuating arms of thev switches' s|9 and^s20 which are mountedupon thetie bar l21|a5 theswit'ches 'sl Sand s2|l being opened andy closed respectively thereby.

Uponv the lapse of approximately 91 seconds' from the energization of: the timer' T2 by the' switch'sl landl the'relayV Contact sl 3; as described above; the time' closing s witchsl closes to en' ergize theV timer solenoid L6 bygmeansr'of a-circuitcomprisingthe; terminal c, the vleads w9; wl 8;4

w22; wzl; theswitchsllly the lead wlll, the relay contactisleftheleads wlS andwll, the switch s|2 and the solenoid L6 to the terminal a; The' energization' ofY the solenoid- L6 transfers the timeracontact SI5 to its normally open position;y

thereby to energize the solenoid Ll l which'shifts the control valve V1 so that air from the duct |32a lifts-the piston ofthe assembly |32 and the attached cros'shead |24'. The-solenoid energizing circuit includes the terminal a, the conductor thus `moving vthel valve V6iso A that air from the du'ct A l lillai causes the-"piston Aofy the' assembly.' |90", t'o-'advance the carriage |581 and the' tray |42:- The circuit completed by-"the' switeh c1 9"in`clu'des the terminal a, v-thefconductor'wlll; .the relay com" tact slB; the`- timer Contact s|5,- the conductor solenoid- Ll i! througli' ground i tofthe terminal c.

The' advancing of' thefcarriage |58L causes-*1 a dog: |95 mountednin aiv channel-196i in the'rearof the cross member |8617 to openthe switch sld' thereof. The'dog' |95 ispivotally supported in th'e channel |98'l so=that the switchlslis tripped only'by the advancing movement' of the carriage |581,y movement-of' th'e carriage in the opposite directioncauses the dog to ride over the switch without trippingfit; The above opening of f the switchr sl 4 interrupts the circuit energizing .the relay solenoidL'l-so'vthat the opening of the com' tact sll'resets the'timer'T-in preparation for' the next cycle.

port mostaof'thewiringfor the various switches and housing'membersyH and H are placed at the'rear ofthe-machine to enclosethe moving c rosshead and dies both'for safety and to enhancethe appearance ofthe machine.

It should befunderstoodrthat the present dis.- closurev is forvthe purposev of illustration only and that this'` invention includes all.' modifications Mld @quail/5111K@IltSlll/'hiohfall-vvithinv the scope of'I the* appendedl claims;-

I claim:

{lpparatis for comlertinga-substantiallyv flatannular blank into a-plurality ofcombs,y each'v lralvingAa-` conoavo-convex= contour which comprisesrelatively movablemal'and female dies, means for delivering aplasticiaedannularv blank betweenthe'dies; means -to effectvvrelative movement ofjthedies to convert said-annular blank intoL a' generally cylindrical' c11own-like member,

ha a, iluralty ofA cutters disposed about said' female ldie and operative after effecting relativeI movement'of said dies'for severing sad generally cylindrical member into a plurality of sections;

2. Apparatus forconve'rting a substantially flat annular blank intol aplurality of combs, each havingH a concav-convex contour, comprisingrelative movable male and female diesnmeans in-` cluding aninclined tray for gravitationally de' livering a plasticized blank between the dies lmeans operable by sliding movement t of the blank along the die f to effect relativeA movement of said dies to convert saidannular blankinto` means operable after eiecting relative move-v mentof said'dies for 'severing said generally cylindrical member into a plurality of sections.

-3. Apparatus for converting a substantially flat annular blank into a plurality of combs, each having a concavo-convex contour, comprising relatively movable male and female dies, means including an inclined tray situated with its lower end between the dies for gravitationally delivering the plasticized blank to one of the dies, means operable by sliding movement of the blank as it approaches the lower end of the tray to effect retractionv of the tray from between the dies and relative movement Aof said dies to convert said annular blank into a generally cylindrical crownlikemember, and means operative after effecting relative movement of said guide for severing said member into a plurality of sections.

x4. Apparatus for converting a substantially flat annular blank into a plurality of combs, each having a concavo-convex contour, comprising relatively movable male and female dies, means including an inclined tray situated with its lower end between the dies for gravitationally delivering the plasticized blank to the dies, heating elements associated with the tray to keep it at a temperature substantially above the temperature ofthe blank as delivered thereto, means operableb'y sliding movement of the blankl as it approaches the lower end of the tray to effect retraction of the tray from between the dies and relative movement of said dies to convert said annular blank into a generally cylindrical crown-like member, and means operative after effecting relative movement of said guide for severing said member into a plurality of sections.

5. Apparatus for converting a substantially flat annular blank into a plurality of combs, each having a concavo-convex contour, which comprises relatively movable male and female dies, means including an inclined tray situated with itslower end above the level of the female die and movable from a position wherein the lower f end is between the dies to a retracted position, means operative to retract the tray from its forward position between the dies, operation of said means being effected by sliding movement of the blank along the tray, means operative to effect relative movement'of the dies so as to convert said annularblank into a generally cylindrical crown-like member, operation of said lastnamed means being initiated by retraction of said tray suiiiciently to clear the dies, and means operable after effecting relative movement of said dies for severing said generally cylindrical member into a plurality of sections.

6. Apparatus for converting a substantially iiat annular blank into a plurality ofv combs, each having a concavo-convex contour, which comprises relatively movable male and female dies, heating means for plasticizing the blanks, Vslide means for gravitationally delivering successive blankswhile still plasticized to the dies, means to effect relative movement of said dies to convert said annular blank into a generally cylindrical crown-like member, and a plurality of cutters disposed about said female die and operable after effecting relative movement of said dies for severing said generally cylindrical memberinto ya plurality of sections.

7. Apparatus for converting a substantially flat annular bank into a plurality of combs, each having a concave-convex contour, which comprises relatively movable male and female dies, an oven for plasticizing the blanks, slide means for' gravitationally delivering successive blank while still plastic to the female die, means oper-- able to effect relative movement of the rdies so as to convert said annular blank into a generally cylindrical, crown-like member, and a plurality of cutters disposed about said female die and operable after effecting relative movement of said dies for severing said generally cylindrical member into a plurality of sections.

8. Apparatus for converting an annular blank: into` a plurality of combs, each having a con-A cavo-convex contour which comprises relativelyv movable male and female dies, an oven for plasticizing a blank placed therein, an inclined tray for receiving the plasticized blank from the oveir and gravitationally delivering it onto the female die in a plastic condition, means operative toK effect relative movement of the dies so as to conl vert said annular blank into a generally cylindrical` crown-like member, means operable by sliding movementv of the blank along the tray to initiate operation of said last-named means',

and means operable following relative movement of the die to sever the generally cylindrical member into a plurality of sections.

Apparatus for converting a'substantially flat annular blank into a plurality of combs, each having a concave-convex contour, comprising '1 plasticizingmeans in the form of an oven having top, bottom and side walls, a heating element arranged near the top of the oven, an article support arranged in the bottom of the oven to receive a blank to be-plasticized, one wall-of the oven having a discharge opening therein close to the bottom, a normally closed closure covering said discharge opening, means for raising the centering means at the bottom of the oven, said' centering means being shaped to engage the inner annulus of a blank dropped onto the support, one of the walls of the oven having a discharge opening therein close to the bottom, a

, normallyclosed closure covering said discharge opening, means for tilting the support to lift the` blank off the centering means to permit it toslide toward the discharge opening, and means: on the support operable 'upon tilting movement: thereof to swing the closure to an open position.

11. Apparatus for converting a substantially inclined heated tray for sustaining the blank subf stantially at the oven temperatureV and gravitationally carrying it from the oven to the female die, said tray being situated with one end close to the oven and the other end between the dies,

means operable to retract the tray from between the dies, means operable to move the dies relative toeach other to convert the annular blank `into a generally cylindrical crown-like member,-

15 means 'perableby movement '-ofpttheeblankzalong.: theftray toeiectzoperatiom :of tberaneans for ire@- trac-,ting tlieetrayy means foperable;by'l retraction: of-1 the :tray `fsuiizlcientlytof clear; the-l' dies to: eie'ot "i operation `ci ithe meansffor` moving'athe:diesgrela-f tivetozeacli other, and means:oper-able"v after. rela.

tive 1 movement of the :dies ftofseverfsaid generally? diesr-into' and.. outfof molding.. engagerrren-.tfor` moldingiarblank placedrbetween them; andstransrf ferfmeans: interposed 4between :the: twoccomprisingfan; 'inclined tray having; a lower --endisituatedffbea tween-.the dies;` and anu'pper' end" closeA to" the plastici'zing; means l' for receiving. fromy .thee latter a -plasticized blank and?gravitationally;transfer@i l tion of said lastenamedfmeans *being effectedibyf sliding movement off the blank 'alongthe tray;` and" other` means 'f operable "by'separationr of the dies to movethe-fcarri'agefin adirectiontlto restorethetray r'to 'its initial ipositicnf;

13; .lipparaftusifor` converting" a; substantially; lati annular Vblank v`inte` aipluralityfoftcombs; each s, having: a" concavoi-convex." contour: comprisingI means'fforpiasticizing a blank, relativelyrmov-l able: dies', means for effecting movementz. of" the dies"v into and" out of' molding engagement forv mol-dinga blankplacec-betweenzthem; and-transe.I ferr' means`- interposed-:between the two? compris#y ing". an. inclined`- tray 1 havingat. lower'. end situated f betweenitlieY dies andrarrupper:"end*close to' the;y plasticizing rmeansforf receivingffrom; the'f latter: a plasticized' blank. andi gravitationa'lly trans ferring it torthel dies:- a tracki located between' the. p'l'astiorzing"means` and; the dies; af carriage to'- Whicn the tray'is fastened: mountedI onl tilev track for movementtherealongJ-meanss.fors effect-n ing` movement of*y the.' carriage in. a directiontotl retract the tray from'.- betweenf the'il dies following deposition of' a blank: between' thef diese: operation#y oisaidr last-namedmeans .beingeffected by sliding 7 movement' of` the blankialong the=tray., and-'other means operable by'se'paration` ofthe diente-move thev carriage in adirection to restore tl'ietrayto-lts initial position;

1.41. Apparatus for` corrvertii'igl a substantially atannular blank intoa plurality ofcombs; each: having a.. concave-convex.' contour; whiclr. conrprises' relative movablema'le' and female-dies, anv oven for receiving. a blank: for'plasticization; said oven. having' a1 normally closed discharge opening` therein, a discharge plate in the oven supporting: th'eb'lank during heating, means for tilting the plate'- andi simultaneously swinging the closure' to uncoyer` tlie discharge opening: to spillthe blank through* the' openingen inclined trayfor receiving-fthe plast! cizedfblankrfrom the oven and gravi'- tati'onallyf delivering.' it to the female die,. means for effecting' relativemovement* of' said dies to convert said annular blank into a generally cylindrical; crown-like member; and means operative after effecting relative movement ofsaid'v dies forsevering said generallyv cylindrical member into alplu-ralityv of sections..

15%. Apparatus for converting a; substantially nat-annular blank. intoapluralty otr combs. eaclr 161. havingrasf concavoconvex` contour; which cern-f prisesfrelatively. movable. vma'lei and tfemale dies; an;. oven-ieri receiying:a.:..blank ktunbe'..A plastcizedr,y saidfaoyen: havingi;a.,charging opening: anxrlfnm'ringl and-normally... closedjclcsure.l tlfierefor,v ai dise chargez plate inl theroverr for supporting the blank.;r

dischargeopening, and the dies for. gravitationally; conveying a. blank delivered` onto the traytcthe?y dies. retra'cting.s means Afor retracting.- theetracv from-between-th'e dies,.means alqngzthe trayloper'.-`Vr

operation.- ofsaid .retracting means: means opere...

v able-.ta eiectrelative movementaofz'the.l dies-.tu47

convert the blank" into'l a generally-f."cylindrical1 crown-like member; operation'of said .last-named' means; beingV effected 'by retractionl of theftray;l other means actuated by retraction of"tlnatray.:I

,- to .effect dwell and;i then separation i of1tl1el dies.

means forf restoringtlietray.toits initial opera,. tiveposition, saidfmeansbeing-operable by sepa-.-N ration oiftl'ie dies, said'last-namedimeansbelng'- seti inte` operation by restoration of f the tray.- to-I its initial position,. and-a manual trip `for closing..- the'l chargingfdoor and setting a\.time.-switch:for1- lifting the-plate todischarge. theplasti'cblank at` th'e'end offa predetermined' time:A

165 Apparatus. forI converting` a. .substantially iiatA annular blank intoV a .plurality of. combs; eachf; having a concavo-convex contour, which comprises relatively: movable male.: and femaleidies;v said femaleY die-having a diefcavity.- into which' telescopically. lits the male dieiwithai clearancey substantially equafl'tothe-tliickness of thecomb, saidfcmale die having aplurality: of1substantiallyA` equal-ly. spaced.1 orifices near the-.bottom thereof. in communication with the clearance space-be tween'. the dies means-foreffecting relative-closing movement oftl'ie dies. to convertsaid'annularblankv into. a generally cylindrical crown-like member having. a= circular.- back; from' which projectfteeth, heatingimeans for plasticizingtha blanks, means .operable following closure.- oi`= the.`

. dies to injectair throughthe orices into-theclearance' space in the vicinity ofA the-back ofl the crown to'sett the plastic, and a pluralityofs cutters disposed about said-female vdiefand-oper`v able substantially'simultaneously tosever said circular back ata plurality of places.v

17: Apparatus forconverting a substantially7 flat annular blank into apluralityf of combs,' eachV having a. concavo-convexcontour; whichcomprises: male and female dies' relatively mov-- able-intoandf out of 'closed position; said female: diel having an annular walll dening adie cavity.` into which tel-'escopicallyA iitsy the male die with a clearance substantially equal' to thethicknessf of theV blank, said female die-having anopening through. its: cylind'rical'-I wall withinv which there' issituat'ed a normally retracted pin, means f0reffecting relatively closing movement ofr the dies;- to convert said annularv blank into a generally' cylindrical crown-like member havingl an an- Y nul'ar back and' projecting teeth, meansoperable after tlie relative closing: movement off the diesr for severing said. crown into a plurality of', sections, and' means. operable after the separation of theA dies toforce said normally retracted ping,

inwardly into the die cavity to separate one sec-v tionl of the severed crownI from'- the rest` whereupon said severed sec'tions will collapse inwardlyU into the die-cavity.

181 Apparatus for converting a substantially atzannular blank-- into.- a. pluralityfofi combs, each 17- having a concavo-convex contour, which comprises" male and female dies relatively movable into and out of closed position, said female die having an annular wall defining a die cavity into which telescopically fits the male die with a clearance space substantially equal to the thickness of the blank therebetween, said female die having a central opening in its bottom of substantially smaller diameter than the male die and atleast one opening through its wall within which there is situated a normally retracted pin, means for effecting relative closing movement of the dies to convert said annular blank into a generally cylindrical crown-like member having a circular back and projecting teeth, means operable after the relative closing movement of the dies for severing said cylindrical member into a plurality of sections, and means operable after the separation of the dies to forcesaid retracted pin inwardly into the die cavity and separate a section of the severed crown from the rest `whereupon the sections will collapse and fall by gravitythrough the central opening inthe bottom of the die cavity.

, 19. Apparatus for converting a substantially fiat annular blank into a plurality `of combs, each having a concavo-convex contour, comprising male and female dies relatively movable into and out of closing position, said femaledie Ahaving an annular wall defining a die cavity into which telescopically fits the male die with a clearance substantially equal to the thickness of the blank therebetween, said female die having a centralv opening in one end of substantially smaller diameter than the male die and a plurality of orifices in its wall near its other end, means for effecting relative closing movement of the diesv to convert said annular blank-into a generally cylindrical crown-like member having a circular back and projecting teeth, means operable after the relative closing movement of the dies for severingY said cylindrical member into a plurality of sections,and means for blowing air through said orifices adjacent to the teeth tol force the same inwardly thereby to cause the sections Ato Vcollapse and to'effect gravitational discharge of the separated'sections through the central opening intherdie.

20. Apparatus for converting a substantially fiat annular blank into a plurality of combs, each having a concavo-convex` contour, comprising male and femaledies relatively movable into and out of vclosing position, said female die having an annular wall defining a die cavity into which telescopically fits the male die with a clearance substantially equal to the thickness of the blank therebetween, said female die having a central opening in one end 'of substantially smaller diameter than the male die, aplurality of orifices in its wall near its other end andat least one opening Vin its wall between its-mouth and bottom vvithin which there issituate'd Va normally retracted pin, means for effecting relative 'closingfmovement of the dies to convert saidannular blank into a generally cylindricalcrown-like member having a circular back and projecting teeth, means operable after the relative closing movement of the dies for severing said. cylindrical member into a plurality of sections, means operable after the dies separate to force the pin into the die cavity to separate a section of the severed member, and means for thereafter injecting blasts of air through the orifices to blow the separated sections inwardly toward the center of the dies so that they will fall by gravity through the central opening therein. Y

21. Apparatus for converting a substantially at annular blank into a plurality of combs, each having a concavo-convex contour, comprising male and female dies relatively movable into and out of closing position, said female die having an annular wall defining a die cavity into the opening mouth of which telescopically fits the male die with a clearance substantially equal to the thickness of the blank therebetween, said female die having a central opening in one end of substantially smaller diameter than the male die, a plurality of orifices near the bottom arranged to open into the clearance space, a plurality of orifices near its other end arranged to open inwardly into the die cavity and at least one opening in the Wall between the two sets of orifices within which there is situated a normally retracted pin, means for effecting relatively closing movement of the dies to convert said annular blank into a general cylindrical crown-like member having a circular back and projecting teeth, means operable after relative closing movement of the dies for simultaneously severing the member into a plurality of pieces, injecting air through the bottom orifices in the vicinity of the circular back-and means operable after opening movement of the dies for simultaneously forcing said pin inwardly and injecting blasts of air through the top orifices.

22. Apparatus for converting a substantially flat annular blank into a plurality of combs, each having a concavo-convex contour, comprising male and female dies relatively movable into and out of closing position, said female die having an annular Wall defining a die cavity into the open mouth of which telescopically fits the male die with a clearance substantially equal to the thickness of the blank therebetween, means for effecting relative movement of the dies to convert said annular blank into a cylindrical crown-like member having a circular back and projecting teeth, a' plurality of cutters pivotally mounted to project into the die cavity near the bottom thereof in the vicinity of the clearance to sever the circular back after relative movement of the dies, and gauge means associated with the female die for orienting the blank with respect to the cutters so that they Will cut between teeth.

23. Apparatus for converting a substantially flat annular blank into aplurality of combs, each having a concavo-convex contour, comprising mileand female dies, said female die having a cavity therein of substantially the same diameter as the blank, a concentrically arranged annular support within the die cavity of slightly larger diameter than the inner central annulus of the blank upon which the blank rests with its central annulus within the support and the roots of its 'teeth' in Contact with the support, -said male die having a part arranged telescopically to iit into the annular support with a clearance equal to the thickness of the blank and to convert said' annular blank into a generally cylindrical crown-like member by forcing it into the clearance space between the annular suport and said male part and a surrounding ring having an opening of larger diameter than the annular support movable toward the annular support to engage and deflect the teeth inwardly against the peripheral surface of the first male part.

24. Apparatus for converting a substantially flat annular blank into a plurality of combs, each having a concavo-convex contour, comprising esem-at male and female dies, said female die. having a cavity therein substantially of the same diam: eter` as the blank.-y a; centi-'ally arranged annular Work support. within the die cavity of slightlyl larger diameter than the inner annulus of the blank; upon which the blanle rests with its inner annulus within the support and the. roots of its teeth in engagement with the upper edge oi tbe. support, said male die having a plunger arranged telescopically to fit into the annular support with a clearance equal to. the. thickness of the, blank, cutting. means arranged about the female die cavity with cutting edges. projecting. into the. space within the annular support, gauge means arranged around the die cavity for automatically positioning the blank with. respect to the. cutters, means ier elleeting relative movement of the dies to convert the. blanlsf` into a. generally cillindricaly crown-like member,- and means` thereafter projecting the Cutters into the annular support to sever the circular back between. the teetl1 2.5. Apparatus. for converting, a. substantially .flat .annularblank; into a. plurality of eombseaeh havingv a pensavo-convex Contour, comprising male. and. female diessaiol. female dieliaving a die. Cavi-ty into which; telesoopioally fits the male die. with. a. clearance substantially equal. to the thickness of. the blank, cutters pvotally mounted around the female/,die to be projected into, the die cavity close to the. bottom thereof., yieldable means supporting the female dies, means fQr effecting relative movement of. the dies to. engage the. male olie within the female die. and. there-v after to move the. engaged. dies in. translation. in. oppositionv to the yieldable meanssupportingtbe female diehandy means operable duringv the translational movement of the dies to actuate the cutters.

26. Apparatus for converting a substantially ilat annular blank into. a pluralityv of combs, each havingr a concavo-convex contour,` comprising a pair of coactingj dies,A one of said diesY having an annular support wit-hin whichy there is an annular subjacent. ledge, the other including,v a plunger having a vertically convex peripheral surface of such diameter as; telescopically to t into the annular support withY a clearance space therebetween substantially equal to the thickness of the blankfor converting` the atbank into a cylinder by forcing the back into engagement with the ledge and turningthel teeth upwardly to take up the clearance Space and a. tandeiniv.- ar.- ranged conforming ringmovable to telescope over the` outside or the annular support. andA havingan` inwardly sloping peripheral wall f or engaging they upwardly projecting teeth and.. deecting them inwardly, meansl yieldablyholding; the, plunger in advance of the ring, and meallSgfor. effecting relative movement of the,v dies to seat; the plunger within the annular: support against the, ledge prior to movement of, the ring into, teleseoping engagement with thesllpiiort,

27. Apparatus. for converting a substantially flat annular blank into a plurality of. combs, eachhaving a concavo-eonvex contour,y comprising a. pair of coacting dies, one of'said dies havingr an annular Support within which there is arr annular subiacent ledge.. a vertically movable crossbead supporting. the. other: die for movement; to and from the. first die.. said other die. including a plunger, means. yieldably supporting. the. plunger on. the crosshead, said plunger having a vertically convex peripheral. surface the. maximum diameter of.. which is such that. it will, nt, into. the. annular support. with a `clearance substantially equal to the thickness of the blank,.and a. conforming ring lixed. to the crosshead behind the. plunger. of a size. telescopleally to fit over the, outside, of the annular support.` and having an inwardly sloping inner wallthe spacingV of: said plunger ahead of theV ringbeing suchthat upon. movement. ofv the crosshead to.` bring. the. dies; into. engagement the plunger willseat; against theA ledge prior toV movement of the ring into engagement. with the out.- side of. the annular support` 28. Apparatus. for.` converting a, substantially fiat annular. blank. mtc, a plurality of combs, each having a. concavofconvex contour, comprising apair of coact-ingr dies, means yieldably sup.- porting one die for limited bodily movement, said die having. an annular support' Within which there is an annular ledge, and cutters spaced about. theA support with.v their cutting edges projectable into the annular support just above the annular ledge, theother dieincluding a plunger and conforming ring bodily movable to and from the rst die, said plunger having a vertically convex peripheral surface of such dimension as to fit into the annularV supportI with a clearance spaceequal to the thickness ofthe blank, said conforming ring havingA an inwardly sloping inner wall of such diameter as to telescope over the outside of the annular support, and said plunger' and ringe being tandemly spaced so that upon bodilyv movement of the plunger and ring toward the support the plungerwill seat against the ledge priorto movement of the ring into engagement with the support, means for effecting bodily movement: of the plunger-and'ring to bring themsuccessively ntoengagement with the work support and*- for thereafterV moving them while seated lagainst the WorksupportI to displace the work supportV bodily;` displacement'of said Work support being operable to eiect projection of' the cutters inwardly into the support. anddownwardly substantially into engagementV with the ledge.

LESTER r'I. SAWYER'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are. of recordV in the file of this. patent:

UNITED SEllTESv PATENTS Number Name Date 1,578,337 Marxt et al. Mar. 30, 1926 1,738,097 Cooper Dec. 3, 1929 1,972,789 Newkirk Sept. 4', 1934 2,230,189 Ferngren. Jan. 28, 1941 2,304,141. Bergmann Dec. 8, 1942 2,l50,,448 Sawyer Oct; 5 1948 

